Global Rally Cross kicked off its inaugural even yesterday at Irwindale Speedway. Drivers raced in bracket-style competition on a mixture of dirt and gravel stages. Competitors each ran events in two and four-wheel-drive cars.

Marcus Gronholm sealed victory at the wheel of a 550-horsepower Ford Fiesta in the all-wheel-drive round, beating out Swedish star Michael Jernberg in second and Formula Drift superstar (and U.S. Top Gear host) Tanner Faust in third.

Gronholm's victory shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who watched him drive WRC cars in the early 2000s. For his part, Gronholm wasn't too shocked either, and attributed his victory in part to experience with motocross. Check out video of the event after the jump.

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Anonymous

4 Years Ago

I attended fridays race and there was max 200 fans there. No advertising and I only found it while looking for something else. I was great meeting the drivers and being in the paddock area, but really, there were no fans there at all. First event jitters? Maybe, but it really needs a lot more hype.

Anonymous

4 Years Ago

Marcus Gronholm was one of the reasons I watched WRC.. Such a great talent and a great person. I was really saddened to hear that he left a few seasons ago but it;s great to see him out and driving again.

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

4 Years Ago

That's not a Suzuki -- it's a Skoda and it was a fan favorite as he was often fastest on the track. Sadly, after two DNFs due to mechanical gliches on Saturday he did not make the sensational final round, which was won by Gronholm.

Anonymous

Anonymous

4 Years Ago

Good highlight footage, as far as it goes. Watch the stands next time you view this. There's hardly anyone there. That's very sad. Advertisers won't support something with such poor attendance. Yes, I'm sure that the TV coverage will help a lot, but I'd like to hear why no one was there.